Reader, I can’t wait to have some time off in June. I am not going on vacation though; I honestly prefer to hibernate at home -independently of the season- in a low stimuli environment to recalibrate my nervous system. This year I did not plan this time off well ahead of time because, well, this year has not been business as usual (for all of us). To be honest, this year I have had to work extra hard on my self-care, extra hard on my liberatory and spiritual practice. I questioned harder the good in people (like, is there any good in some people? I’ve asked myself at times), and I have had to hold on to my community even harder -and more selectively- to 1) navigate oppression and resist white supremacy in my practice and personal life, and 2) to not feel alone in my sadness, grief, hopelessness, and all of the other feelings that come up at times (all the time?). Why do I share this with you? To be real with you, to remind you that decolonial and anti-oppressive work is hard and it can feel isolating at times (until you find your community). To remind you that decolonial, liberatory, and anti-oppressive work will make you confront people and your own feelings, but it is rewarding as hell. It is communal, because it is work you do for yourself, for your practice, for your clients, and for your community. It is work that benefits everyone. So please hang in there; you are doing a lot. We are doing a lot holding space for so many people and holding space for our communities, especially the most minoritized and oppressed ones. So it’s ok if you feel hopeless every now and then. You’ll have your community to hold you and you can model how to be in right relationship with hopelessness for your clients…. why not? The free monthly Q&A sessions (a.k.a. Decolonized Consultation Sessions) are back NEXT WEEK (Monday May 20th) If you participated last year, you are automatically signed (but can opt out here if this is not the right time). 🌈 These are 55-min Q&A sessions where you get to ask all the questions you have about decolonizing and liberating your therapy, healing, and/or wellness practice. You get to create community as the group will also offer feedback and suggestions that have worked for them. These groups are a wealth of communal knowledge! Some of the topics we’ve covered: ☀️ Building a decolonized mental health or wellness practice ☀️ Anti-oppressive paperwork ☀️ Inclusive treatment ☀️ Decolonizing yourself to decolonize your practice ☀️ Existing and resisting within the mental health industrial complex and wellness complex If you have not joined yet, you can sign up below:
In community, Silvana @ Decolonize Your Practice PS. If you are new to this newsletter, you can read previous newsletter posts here. Let's connect! |
I help clinicians, healers, and coaches incorporate decolonized and liberatory values in their practices so that you can have a practice and/or service-based business that is truly affirming and welcoming to clients who hold marginalized identities.
Reader, For the las two weeks I've introduced you to the 7 steps to bridge the gap between your and your client’s identities. There are 7 steps to bridging the Gap: Self-Reflection ✔️ Listening Actively ✔️ Building Authentic Relationships Acknowledging Power Dynamics Commit to Ongoing Learning: Memorizing is not the same as understanding Compassion over empathy This week I am unpacking step 3, Building Authentic Relationships: Building Authentic Relationships: Understanding the Client’s World...
Reader, For the las two weeks I've introduced you to the 7 steps to bridge the gap between your and your client’s identities. There are 7 steps to bridging the Gap: Self-Reflection ✔️ Listening Actively Building Authentic Relationships Acknowledging Power Dynamics Commit to Ongoing Learning: Memorizing is not the same as understanding Compassion over empathy This week I am unpacking step 2, Listening Actively: Yes, we learned active listening in grad school. It is "the process of listening...
Reader, Last week I introduced you to the 7 steps to bridge the gap between your and your client’s identities. There are 7 steps to bridging the Gap: Self-Reflection Listening Actively Building Authentic Relationships Acknowledging Power Dynamics Commit to Ongoing Learning: Memorizing is not the same as understanding Compassion over empathy This week I am unpacking step 1, Self-Reflection: Self-reflection is the cornerstone of decolonizing mental health and is crucial in bridging the gap...